This last week I’ve fallen into a rabbit hole, of linen. I hear what you’re thinking. Please, not another post postulating on the joys of wearing linen on hot summer days! So I’ve purposely avoided writing a post on why we should be wearing linen, and instead focused on what I’ve found whilst in said deep rabbit hole. I’ve focused on tops, I know quite specific, but will look at other pieces I’ve found next week. If you fancy it, you know where to stop by Sunday next. This is a bitesize portion, as I am packing my own linens this weekend pour nos vacances a Biarritz!
Linen tops
Last week I included a beautiful linen top from Australian brand Posse in my packing line up (see below).
Three pieces, three ways
As you may remember, I’m a recent convert to capsule wardrobe packing. I love the calm it brings, knowing what outfits I’ll be wearing for a trip. I explored it earlier this year for a rainy but lovely UK city break. This time I’m seeking hot sand, warm water, and cool decking - we’re heading to the south of France!
Well, it arrived and it was far too short. Three babies later and my crop top days are well and truly over! Truth be told, it was this disappointment that led me to take the deep dive into linen this week. I’m seeking a replacement which has yet to materialise but definitely not through lack of effort. I’ve tried on all of these tops but not one of them is currently available in my size! I’m obviously late to the seasonal stampede to the linen section. As a way of licking my wounds, I thought I’d share my thoughts on each and provide some advice on sizing, in the hope that this intel is helpful to you.
Starting on the left, this Massimo Dutti side panel top is an elevated take on the simple linen vest. It is wide fitting, as the website suggests, and the smallest size available is a UK10. In the absence of my size, I tried the UK12, which was unsurprisingly too big. Not massively so, just enough to warrant not keeping it. Such a shame as it’s a beautiful quality piece.
Next, this M&S crop top is seemingly very simple but actually a really great shape. The length is perfect, by not being too cropped (despite the name) and also by not extending below the waist. It is also pretty much spot on sizing wise. Again, I tried a UK12 but the underarm area gaped so I would take the size below.
After my initial confusion around sizing on the Beyond Nine website (the brand caters for before, during and after pregnancy), I tentatively ordered their sell out Esme top in an 2XS, knowing that I was probably the size above, which was, you guessed it, sold out. I’m really gutted this didn’t fit as this top is exactly what I’m searching for. I love the slightly high neck, the slight balloon shape and that there are some very cool looking matching trousers. Here’s
in hers this week.
The khaki version the earlier M&S crop top was in my local store today and my heart skipped a happy beat when I saw it on the rail. The linen is so beautifully soft and the colour is chefs kiss but again, not available in my size. Come on stores, get your stock of sizing sorted!
I ordered this H&M linen wrap top as a replacement purchase for the beautiful Jets Australia dress from the OUTNET I featured last week, but which ended up being a bit shapeless. Sorry
! I’m imagining this wrap top teamed with black linen shorts as my poolside lounging attire, complemented by my Piel de Mar basket bag and gold Havaianas (see last week’s post linked above).And finally, brown. My heaven! This Massimo Dutti sleeveless top has that finish and softness of much loved linen. It is really lovely! I took a UK10 which was about right for a relaxed fit. Here’s
in hers this week.
Just as this post was going to press, a very last minute contender arrived! This is Abercrombie and Fitch via Asos, and just might be the one! I’m think of wearing it backwards as I love the high neck style of the others I’ve tried, but this is a great option as it’s 100% linen, with 100% cotton lining, and the scallop detail is very cute (and a trend that keeps giving). I’ll feed back!
Inspiration and wish list pieces
Continuing on from last week’s inspiration and wish list piece, I’ve been searching for neutral trousers or jeans with a horseshoe or barrel silhouette, similar to my COH Marcelle (niche, I know!). This piece of research paid off as I found a great pair, in Zara of all places! I know, Zara is up there with the fast fashion baddies, but they do good denim. Take it from
.See my findings in action below, and inspiration from
and in similar styles 🤍.
That’s all I’ve got time for this week! Short but sweet hopefully. Hope to see you next weekend - same time, same place, Jenny x
Your black + brown combo is so chic! Xx
Hi! Where are your brown sandals from? Thank you!